If Spector’s report comes to fruition on July 1, it will
represent a return to GM Glen Sather’s old ways in the eyes of many, but it will
also show us just how good of a player the Rangers think Richards is and how
close they believe they are to contention.

To feel completely comfortable about a Richards deal, most
would prefer a contract in the range of three-years, $21 million.Unfortunately, that’s not reality and
Richards will command a higher annual salary and a longer deal, and every
interested team knows it.

Such a humongous deal would be alarming, but Richards does
have the ability to make it worthwhile.

- Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports that one popular backup plan
at center, Ottawa’s
Jason Spezza, is not on the Rangers’ radar.That could change, but Staple says he’s heard there’s “no chance” of the
Rangers dealing for Spezza.So it would
appear that it’s Richards, Colorado’s
Paul Stastny, or the status quo.

- In a move that has not yet been officially announced and has
gone largely unnoticed, the Rangers signed Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, a 5-9,
175 lb center that racked up 95 points last year in the QMJHL.Audy-Marchessault, 21, has been with the
Quebec Ramparts the last four years but really emerged last season.Audy-Marchessault scored 40 goals and 55
assists in 68 games and added 11 goals and 22 assists in 18 playoff games.Audy-Marchessault signed a one-year, two-way
deal with the Blueshirts and should end up with the CT Whale next year.The Rangers make a signing like this every so
often and usually they amount to nothing.Nevertheless, Audy-Marchessault’s production this year is undeniable and
he is certainly a name to watch going forward.

- The Rangers also re-signed CT Whale left wing Dale Weise to
another one-year, two-way deal.Weise tallied
38 points in 47 games for the Whale, but is probably best known for his
Gatorade gaffe while with the Rangers in a brief 10-game cameo in January.Weise is at a point in his career where his
future with New York
is in major question, but the team was apparently satisfied enough with Weise’s
play in his cup of tea with the NHL squad that they want to give him one more
chance this season.